Washington takes 2; win in NWSL, W-League

The Washington Spirit found revenge in a 3-2 victory against the WNY Flash May 17 at the sold out Maryland SoccerPlex. The Flash won the season opener 3-1. Washington’s Jodie Taylor celebrated her birthday by scoring twice, including the game winner at 78 minutes.

In the 11th minute, Washington attacker Lori Lindsey played the ball over the top in front to Taylor, who put a chip over Flash goalkeep Kelsey Wys to give the Spirit a 1-0 lead. Flash’s Abby Wambach got her head on a Vicky Losada cross to even the score at 1-1 at 17 minutes. WNY’s Carli Lloyd dribbled through two tackles and three defenders for a sliding finish to the far post, putting the Flash up 2-1 at the 30 minute mark.

The Spirit started the game off with a new lineup from their last game against FC Kansas City. Ali Krieger moved to the center of defense for the injured Toni Pressley (torn PCL), while Bianca Sierra filled in at right back.

The Spirit move to 3-4-0 on the season, while the Flash drop to 3-2-1. NWSL action returns to the Washington area Wednesday when the Spirit return to the Plex host Sky Blue FC (1-3-3) at 7 pm.

In the first game of the pro doubleheader, the veteran Washington Spirit Reserves taught the new kids on the block, the Braddock Road Stars Elite, a lesson, 4-1. It was Braddock Road’s inaugural W-League game.

Washington defender Sam Lofton curled her cross inside the near post for a 1-0 Spirit lead in the 16 minute. Midfielder Katie Yensen collected a pass deep in the right corner of the Braddock Road box and shot a quick pass to teammate Ashley Herndon. As defenders converged on Herndon, she one-touched the Yensen feed to midfielder Kara Wilson who buried the shot into the net at 34 minutes.

Spirit Reserve Ashley Cuba scored twice on feeds from teammate Niomi Serrano within a five minute span in the second half to close the Washington rush. Midfielder Marisa Park intercepted a Washington pass and blasted a low shot to the left corner in the 89th minute to account for the Stars Elite’s first goal ever.

Washington was without long-time goalie DiDi Haracic. Harracio was at the plex, but in a WNY uniform. The Loyola (Maryland) grad was called up to the majors by the Flash last week. Adelaide Gay started in goal for the Spirit Reserve and stopped three shots.

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Andy Arnold covered male and female sports from the varsity high school to professional level. Arnold is a past recipient of the Virginia Press Association honor for best sports feature story for newspapers with a circulation of less than 20,000.